TODAY was an extra special day for one York family as it marked two very important milestones.

Ann and Arthur Coatesworth, of Merchant Way, Copmanthorpe, were celebrating their golden wedding anniversary today - as their daughter Susan Tomlinson and her husband Martin were marking their

silver wedding.

Both couples got married exactly 25 years apart in the same place, St Nicholas's Church, Askham Bryan.

The family was celebrating the joint anniversary with a party for about 65 people at Dunnington Bowls Club. Ann and Arthur's son, Tony, travelled from his home in Majorca for the event, and their grandson, Joseph, 23, who is stationed in Germany with the army, surprised them by returning to York in time for the party. The Coatesworth's best man, Joe Carter, 83, who now lives in Wiltshire, was also to be a guest at the celebration.

Arthur, 77, met Ann, 68, when she came into the Territorial Army depot, where he worked as chief clerk, wanting to learn to drive. She was only 17 when they met at Lumley Barracks, Burton Stone Lane and once she was 18 they married. The couple have lived in Copmanthorpe for 13 years but spent most of their married life in Askham Bryan, where Arthur was brought up. Ann worked as a prison officer at Askham Grange for 22 years. The couple have three children, Lesley, 49, Susan, 46, and Tony, 47, and five grandchildren. Arthur, who worked for the North East Electricity Board for 22 years until he retired in 1986, said the secret to a happy marriage was to not dwell on disagreements.

He said: "Have a good argument and then forget about it."

Susan, of Alness Drive, Acomb Park, said fate had thrown her and her husband, Martin, who works as an accountant for CD Bramall, together. They had played together as children in Askham Bryan, as adults she used to see him cycling at lunchtimes and he left his job at General Accident Insurance a week before she started with the company. Martin's best friend was also Susan's boss. The couple finally started dating when they met at the Acomb activity centre.

Susan said: "Fate has played such a strong part in our lives, we were obviously meant to be together."

Susan spent her first wedding anniversary giving birth to her son, Adam. The couple also have twin daughters, Emily and Katy, 22.

Updated: 11:37 Friday, March 29, 2002